The 127 Yard Sale is known as the world’s longest yard sale and can be found spanning 6 states, including Tennessee.
Do you love a good bargain, unique finds, or handmade goods, then you’ve got to check out the 127 Yard Sale. This annual event follows U.S. Highway 127 for 690 miles, covering 6 states, with various yard sales along the way. Of course, stopping at each yard sale within the 4 days it happens would be impossible. But I covered a good portion of the Tennessee section last year so that I could share my experience with you and prepare you for this year. Continue reading to learn more about the history behind this yard sale, what I learned last year, and tips to make your shopping experience great.
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The 127 Yard Sale History
The 127 Yard Sale started in 1987 by Mike Walker in Jamestown, TN. He was looking for a way to encourage travelers to see the smaller, country towns that are hidden from view on the major interstates. These small towns boast beauty, historic landmarks, southern hospitality, great food, and more. So, the annual yard sale was created to do just that. For decades now, the 127 Yard Sale has grown and currently hosts over 2,200 vendors and sees over 100,000 shoppers every year from Michigan to Alabama.
When to Find the 127 Yard Sale
You can find the 127 Yard Sale happening every year from the first Thursday-Sunday in August. Vendors and shoppers alike travel from all over the country to enjoy this 4-day shopping experience.
Vendors are free to open and close at whatever time they wish. Although the average tends to be an 8AM open with 5PM close, in my experience I found that most vendors in the Tennessee area closed closer to 3PM. I would suggest treating this as a large-scale yard sale. Just like your little neighborhood yard sales, most shoppers arrive early and don’t stay too late into the afternoon.
What to Expect at the 127 Yard Sale
This is essentially a bunch of small yard sales strung together along Highway 127. But that doesn’t mean there’s a yard sale every 5 feet along the side of the road. Instead, you can expect to find clusters of sales mainly within the small towns. There’s not usually any sales between these small towns which makes for a great break to enjoy the scenery as you drive to the next spot.
You can expect the usual yard sale items as well as things you would have never guessed. Anything you can sell, you might find it. There’s also local artisans who sell their works too such as paintings or wooden furniture. You might even find a classic car or two for sale. Keep your eyes peeled if you’re looking for something specific because you just might find it here.
And you never know what kind of locations you’ll get to explore. We found sales inside historic buildings, barns, and even a property that had a tiny chapel built in their backyard next to some ponies. Always get out and walk around if you find a large cluster of sales because what you find may surprise you.
Highway 127 is mostly a two-lane road in Tennessee. And as the route shifts to Lookout Mountain, you’ll find these roads to mostly be two-lane as well. With that said, you can expect slow traffic, especially in the clustered areas that have sales. From my experience, the traffic isn’t too bad and people are gracious to let each other in and out of parking areas. But this may not always be the case and some people are just commuting, not trying to shop. Plan to be traveling less than the speed limit in the small towns and please be courteous to those around you.
How to Prepare to Shop the 127 Yard Sale
Pick a Route
The first step in planning your 127 Yard Sale shopping spree is to plan what route you want to take. From Chattanooga you can opt to hop over Signal Mountain and enjoy the scenic countryside of Sequatchie County like I did. Or, explore the scenic drive on Lookout Mountain where the yard sale continues down to Gadsden, AL. If you would like to see a better visual of this, the 127 Yard Sale website has maps to help you out.
Some opt to make a longer trip out of this event and for that, the 127 Yard Sale website also offers lodging suggestions. Just be mindful of your shopping pace and the traffic to make sure you get to your destination for the night on time. Also reserve your space ahead of time if you can as nearby locations will book up quickly.
Again, you will not be able to enjoy the entire yard sale in full length, but you can definitely make a long trip out of this shopping experience. If you do, it’s also suggested that you plan to ship items back to your home if you run out of space for all your purchases. Just be sure to bring packing and shipping supplies with you to make that process easier.
Plan for Weather
The 127 Yard Sale happens no matter the weather. So, if it’s storming, vendors may put a pause on the shopping, but as soon as it clears, it’s back to business as usual. Be prepared to wait out the potential summer squall. It doesn’t hurt to keep a rain jacket or umbrella in your vehicle and wear proper shoes for the puddles and mud.
What to Bring
Along with your rain gear, wear sunscreen. If you plan on spending most of the day out shopping, you’ll be outside in the direct sunlight for multiple hours throughout the day.
You’ll need cash. Just like most yard sales, most vendors accept cash only. On rare occasions you might find someone who can take a credit card, but we all know cash is king.
Be sure to have plenty of water with you. Lots of walking outside in the sun or shade in early August means you’ll be needing to drink plenty of water. But also be prepared to support the locals and buy food and drinks from food vendors and local restaurants.
If you’re one to collect smaller trinkets or buy lots of items, it might be wise to bring some bags or boxes to help you carry your new-found treasures. Although, some vendors do plan ahead and also provide bags. But as I always say, it’s best to be prepared either way.
Locals and Vendors
If you’re interested in more than just shopping, the 127 Yard Sale website has all the information you need to become a vendor. Or maybe you have some land along Highway 127 and want to rent space to vendors. Or do you want to share your local business as a stop along the route? The 127 Yard Sale website is a great resource to answer all your questions about this and more.
Conclusion
The annual 127 Yard Sale is a fun event to explore in Tennessee and beyond. If you love yard sales, I highly recommend planning a trip this year to see what goodies you can find along Highway 127.
Curious what all of this might look like? Last year I made sure to document my experience on video so that you can see what you might experience when you go.
Have you had a chance to try the 127 Yard Sale? What sections did you explore? Did you buy anything unique, or are you a vendor or local business? Let me know in the comments below. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
More Chattanooga Area Late Summer Fun:
- Hike and Swim along the Grundy Day Loop Trail
- Paddle at Harrison Bay State Park
- Stay Cool with River Tubing
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